Soybean cultivar ar0902031

ABSTRACT

The present invention is in the field of soybean variety breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean variety AR0902031, its seed, its progeny and their cell, and methods of making AR0902031.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit under Title 35, UnitedStates Code 119(a) of Canadian Patent Application No. 2,762,116 filedDec. 23, 2011.

THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of soybean cultivar breeding anddevelopment. The present invention particularly relates to the soybeancultivar AR0902031, its seed, its progeny and their cells, use of thesoybean cultivar AR0902031, its seed, its progeny and their cells, andmethods of making AR0902031.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Soybean Glycine max (L) is an important oil seed crop and a valuablefield crop. However, it began as a wild plant. This plant and a numberof other plants have been developed into valuable agricultural cropsthrough years of breeding and development. The pace of the developmentof soybeans, into an animal foodstuff and as an oil seed hasdramatically increased in the last one hundred years. Planned programsof soybean breeding have increased the growth, yield and environmentalhardiness of the soybean germplasm.

Due to the sexual reproduction traits of the soybean, the plant isbasically self-pollinating. A self-pollinating plant permits pollen fromone flower to be transferred to the same or another flower of the sameplant. Cross-pollination occurs when the flower is pollinated withpollen from a different plant; however, soybean cross-pollination is arare occurrence in nature.

Thus the growth and development of new soybean germplasm requiresintervention by the breeder into the pollination of the soybean. Thebreeders' methods of intervening depend on the type of trait that isbeing bred. Soybeans are developed for a number of different types oftraits morphological (form and structure), phenotypical, or for traitslike growth, day length, temperature requirements, initiation date offloral or reproductive development, fatty acid content, insectresistance, disease resistance, nematode resistance, fungal resistance,herbicide resistance, tolerance to various environmental factors likedrought, heat, wet, cold, wind, adverse soil condition and also foryield. The genetic complexity of the trait often drives the selection ofthe breeding method.

Due to the number of genes within each chromosome, millions of geneticcombinations exist in the breeders' experimental soybean material. Thisgenetic diversity is so vast that a breeder cannot produce the same twocultivars twice using the exact same starting parental material. Thus,developing a single variety of useful commercial soybean germplasm ishighly unpredictable, and requires intensive research and development.

The development of new soybeans comes through breeding techniques, suchas: recurrent selection, mass selections, backcrossing, single seeddescent and multiple seed procedure. Additionally, marker assistedbreeding allows more accurate movement of desired alleles or evenspecific genes or sections of chromosomes to be moved within thegermplasm that the breeder is developing. RFLP, RAPD, AFLP, SSR, SNP,SCAR, isozymes, are some of the forms of markers that can be employed inbreeding soybeans or in moving traits into soybean germplasm. Otherbreeding methods are known and are described in various plant breedingor soybean textbooks.

When a soybean variety is being employed to develop a new soybeanvariety or an improved variety the selection methods may includebackcrossing, pedigree breeding, recurrent selection, marker assistedselection, modified selection and mass selection or a combination ofthese methods. The efficiency of the breeding procedure along with thegoal of the breeding are the factors for determining which selectiontechniques are employed. A breeder continuously evaluates the success ofthe breeding program and therefore the efficiency of any breedingprocedures. The success is usually measured by yield increase,commercial appeal and environmental adaptability of the developedgermplasm.

The development of new soybean cultivars most often requires thedevelopment of hybrid crosses (some exceptions being initial developmentof mutants directly through the use of the mutating agent, certainmaterials introgressed by markers, or transformants made directlythrough transformation methods) and the selection of progeny. Hybridscan be achieved by manual manipulation of the sexual organs of thesoybean or by the use of male sterility systems. Breeders often try toidentify true hybrids by a readily identifiable trait or the visualdifferences between inbred and hybrid material. These heterozygoushybrids are then selected and repeatedly selfed and reselected to formnew homozygous soybean lines.

Mass and recurrent selection can be used to improve populations. Severalparents are intercrossed and plants are selected based on selectedcharacteristics like superior yield or excellent progeny resistance.Outcrossing to a number of different parents creates fairly heterozygousbreeding populations.

Pedigree breeding is commonly used with two parents that possessfavorable, complementary traits. The parents are crossed to form a F1hybrid. The progeny of the F1 hybrid is selected and the best individualF2s are selected; this selection process is repeated in the F3 and F4generations. The inbreeding is carried forward and at approximatelyF5-F9 the best lines are selected and tested in the development stagefor potential usefulness in a selected geographic area.

In backcross breeding a genetic allele or loci is often transferred intoa desirable homozygous recurrent parent. The trait from the donor parentis tracked into the recurrent parent. The resultant plant is bred to belike the recurrent parent with the new desired allele or loci.

The single-seed descent method involves use of a segregating plantpopulation for harvest of one seed per plant. Each seed sample isplanted and the next generation is formed. When the F2 lines areadvanced to approximately F6 or so, each plant will be derived from adifferent F2. The population will decline due to failure of some seeds,so not all F2 plants will be represented in the progeny.

New varieties must be tested thoroughly to compare their developmentwith commercially available soybeans. This testing usually requires atleast two years and up to six years of comparisons with other commercialsoybeans. Varieties that lack the entire desirable package of traits canbe used as parents in new populations for further selection or aresimply discarded. The breeding and associated testing process is 8 to 12years' of work prior to development of a new variety. Thousands ofvarietal lines are produced but only a few lines are selected in eachstep of the process. Thus the breeding system is like a funnel withnumerous lines and selections in the first few years and fewer and fewerlines in the middle years until one line is selected for the finaldevelopment testing.

The selected line or variety will be evaluated for its growth,development and yield. These traits of a soybean are a result of thevariety's genetic potential interacting with its environment. Allvarieties have a maximum yield potential that is predetermined by itsgenetics. This hypothetical potential for yield is only obtained whenthe environmental conditions are near perfect. Since perfect growthconditions do not exist, field experimentation is necessary to providethe environmental influence and to measure its effect on the developmentand yield of the soybean. The breeder attempts to select for an elevatedsoybean yield potential under a number of different environmentalconditions.

Selecting for good soybean yield potential in different environmentalconditions is a process that requires planning based on the analysis ofdata in a number of seasons. Identification of the varieties carrying asuperior combination of traits, which will give consistent yieldpotential, is a complex science. The desirable genotypic traits in thevariety can often be masked by other plant traits, unusual weatherpatterns, diseases, and insect damage. One widely employed method ofidentifying a superior plant with such genotypic traits is to observeits performance relative to commercial and experimental plants inreplicated studies. These types of studies give more certainty to thegenetic potential and usefulness of the plant across a number ofenvironments.

In summary, the goal of the soybean plant breeder is to produce new andunique soybeans and progeny of the soybeans for farmers' commercial cropproduction. To accomplish this, the plant breeder painstakingly crossestwo or more varieties or germplasm. Then the results of this cross arerepeatedly selfed or backcrossed to produce new genetic patterns. Neweravenues for producing new and unique genetic alleles in soybeans includeintroducing (or creating) mutations or transgenes into the geneticmaterial of the soybean are now in practice in the breeding industry.These genetic alleles can alter pest resistance such as diseaseresistance, insect resistance, nematode resistance, herbicideresistance, or they can alter the plant's environmental tolerances, orits seeds' fatty acid compositions, the amount of oil produced, and/orthe amino acid/protein compositions of the soybean plant or its seed.

The traits a breeder selects for when developing new soybeans are drivenby the ultimate goal of the end user of the product. Thus if the goal ofthe end user is to resist a certain plant disease so overall more yieldis achieved, then the breeder drives the introduction of genetic allelesand their selection based on disease resistant levels shown by theplant. On the other hand, if the goal is to produce specific fatty acidcomposition, with for example a high level of oleic acid and/or a lowerlevel of linolenic acid, then the breeder may drive the selection ofgenetic alleles/genes based on inclusion of mutations or transgenes thatalter the levels of fatty acids in the seed. Reaching this goal mayallow for the acceptance of some lesser yield potential or other lessdesirable agronomic trait.

The new genetic alleles being introduced in to soybeans are widening thepotential uses and markets for the various products and by-products ofthe oil from the seed plants such as soybean. A major product extractedfrom soybeans is the oil in the seed. Soybean oil is employed in anumber of retail products such as cooking oil, baked goods, margarinesand the like. Another useful product is soybean meal, which is acomponent of many foods and animal feedstuffs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention relates to a cell of a soybean plantdesignated variety AR0902031, representative seed of the soybean varietyhaving been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12278.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a cell of a soybean plant,wherein the soybean plant is produced by growing seed of soybean varietyAR0902031, representative seed of soybean variety AR0902031 having beendeposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12278.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a cell of (i) a soybean plantor (ii) a soybean seed wherein the plant or seed is a descendant ofsoybean variety AR0902031, representative seed of soybean varietyAR0902031 having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12278,wherein the descendant expresses the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of soybean variety AR0902031 listed in Table 1 asdetermined at the 5% significance level when grown under substantiallysimilar environmental conditions, and wherein the descendant is producedby self-pollinating soybean variety AR0902031.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a cell of (i) a soybean plantor (ii) a soybean seed wherein the plant or seed is a descendant ofsoybean variety AR0902031, representative seed of soybean varietyAR0902031 having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12278,wherein the descendant is derived from soybean variety AR0902031, andwherein the descendant is produced by self-pollinating soybean varietyAR0902031.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a cell of a plant tissueculture produced from protoplasts or regenerable cells from a soybeanplant as described above.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a cell of a descendant ofsoybean variety AR0902031, representative seed of soybean varietyAR0902031 having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12278,wherein the descendant is homozygous for all of its alleles and whereinthe descendant is produced by self-pollinating soybean varietyAR0902031.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a cell of a descendant ofsoybean variety AR0902031, representative seed of soybean varietyAR0902031 having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12278,wherein the descendant is produced by self-pollinating soybean varietyAR0902031 and expresses the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of soybean variety AR0902031 listed in Table 1 asdetermined at the 5% significance level when grown under substantiallysimilar environmental conditions, and wherein the descendant comprises atransgene.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a cell of a descendant ofsoybean variety AR0902031, representative seed of soybean varietyAR0902031 having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12278,and wherein the descendant is derived from soybean variety AR0902031 andis produced by self-pollinating soybean variety AR0902031 and comprisesa transgene.

Another aspect of the invention relates to use of soybean varietyAR0902031, representative seed of soybean variety AR0902031 having beendeposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12278, to breed a soybeanplant.

Another aspect of the invention relates to use of a descendant ofsoybean variety AR0902031, representative seed of soybean varietyAR0902031 having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12278,and wherein the descendant is produced by self-pollinating soybeanvariety AR0902031 and the descendant expresses the physiological andmorphological characteristics of soybean variety AR0902031 listed inTable 1 as determined at the 5% significance level when grown undersubstantially similar environmental conditions, to breed a soybeanplant.

Another aspect of the invention relates to use of a descendant ofsoybean variety AR0902031, representative seed of soybean varietyAR0902031 having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12278,and wherein the descendant is derived from soybean variety AR0902031 andis produced by self-pollinating AR0902031, to breed a soybean plant.

Another aspect of the invention relates to use of soybean varietyAR0902031, wherein representative seed of soybean variety AR0902031 hasbeen deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12278, as a recipient ofa conversion locus.

Another aspect of the invention relates to use of a descendant ofsoybean variety AR0902031, representative seed of soybean varietyAR0902031 having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12278,and wherein the descendant is produced by self-pollinating soybeanvariety AR0902031 and the descendant expresses the physiological andmorphological characteristics of soybean variety AR0902031 listed inTable 1 as determined at the 5% significance level when grown undersubstantially similar environmental conditions, as a recipient of aconversion locus.

Another aspect of the invention relates to use of a descendant ofsoybean variety AR0902031, representative seed of soybean varietyAR0902031 having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12278,and wherein the descendant is derived from soybean variety AR0902031 andis produced by self-pollinating soybean variety AR0902031, as arecipient of a conversion locus.

Another aspect of the invention relates to use of soybean varietyAR0902031, representative seed of soybean variety AR0902031 having beendeposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12278, to cross with anothersoybean plant.

Another aspect of the invention relates to use of a descendant ofsoybean variety AR0902031, representative seed of soybean varietyAR0902031 having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12278,and wherein the descendant is produced by self-pollinating soybeanvariety AR0902031 and the descendant expresses the physiological andmorphological characteristics of soybean variety AR0902031 listed inTable 1 as determined at the 5% significance level when grown undersubstantially similar environmental conditions, to cross with anothersoybean plant.

Another aspect of the invention relates to use of a descendant ofsoybean variety AR0902031, representative seed of soybean varietyAR0902031 having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12278,and wherein the descendant is derived from soybean variety AR0902031 andis produced by self-pollinating soybean variety AR0902031, to cross withanother soybean plant.

Another aspect of the invention relates to use of soybean varietyAR0902031, representative seed of soybean variety AR0902031 having beendeposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12278, as a recipient of atransgene.

Another aspect of the invention relates to use of a descendant ofsoybean variety AR0902031, representative seed of soybean varietyAR0902031 having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12278,and wherein the descendant is produced by self-pollinating soybeanvariety AR0902031 and the descendant expresses the physiological andmorphological characteristics of soybean variety AR0902031 listed inTable 1 as determined at the 5% significance level when grown undersubstantially similar environmental conditions, as a recipient of atransgene.

Another aspect of the invention relates to use of a descendant ofsoybean variety AR0902031, representative seed of soybean varietyAR0902031 having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12278,and wherein the descendant is derived from soybean variety AR0902031 andis produced by self-pollinating soybean variety AR0902031, as arecipient of a transgene.

Another aspect of the invention relates to use of soybean varietyAR0902031, representative seed of soybean variety AR0902031 having beendeposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12278, for producing soybeanprotein, soybean hulls, soybean meal, soybean flour, or soybean oil.

Another aspect of the invention relates to use of a descendant ofsoybean variety AR0902031, representative seed of soybean varietyAR0902031 having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12278,and wherein the descendant is produced by self-pollinating soybeanvariety AR0902031 and the descendant expresses the physiological andmorphological characteristics of soybean variety AR0902031 listed inTable 1 as determined at the 5% significance level when grown undersubstantially similar environmental conditions, for producing soybeanprotein, soybean hulls, soybean meal, soybean flour, or soybean oil.

Another aspect of the invention relates to use of a descendant ofsoybean variety AR0902031, representative seed of soybean varietyAR0902031 having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12278,and wherein the descendant is derived from soybean variety AR0902031 andis produced by self-pollinating soybean variety AR0902031, for producingsoybean protein, soybean hulls, soybean meal, soybean flour, or soybeanoil.

Another aspect of the invention relates to use of soybean varietyAR0902031, wherein representative seed of soybean variety AR0902031 hasbeen deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12278, to grow a crop.

Another aspect of the invention relates to use of a descendant ofsoybean variety AR0902031, representative seed of soybean varietyAR0902031 having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12278,and wherein the descendant is produced by self-pollinating AR0902031 andthe descendant expresses the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of soybean variety AR0902031 listed in Table 1 asdetermined at the 5% significance level when grown under substantiallysimilar environmental conditions, to grow a crop.

Another aspect of the invention relates to use of a descendant ofsoybean variety AR0902031, representative seed of soybean varietyAR0902031 having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12278,and wherein the descendant is derived from soybean variety AR0902031 andis produced by self-pollinating soybean variety AR0902031, to grow acrop.

Another aspect of the invention relates to crushed non-viable soybeanseed of soybean variety AR0902031, representative seed of soybeanvariety AR0902031 having been deposited under ATCC Accession NumberPTA-12278.

Another aspect of the invention relates to crushed non-viable soybeanseed of a descendant of soybean variety AR0902031, representative seedof soybean variety AR0902031 having been deposited under ATCC AccessionNumber PTA-12278, and wherein the descendant is produced byself-pollinating soybean variety AR0902031 and the descendant expressesthe physiological and morphological characteristics of soybean varietyAR0902031 listed in Table 1 as determined at the 5% significance levelwhen grown under substantially similar environmental conditions.

Another aspect of the invention relates to crushed non-viable soybeanseed of a descendant of soybean variety AR0902031, representative seedof soybean variety AR0902031 having been deposited under ATCC AccessionNumber AR0902031, and wherein the descendant is derived from soybeanvariety AR0902031 and is produced by self-pollinating soybean varietyAR0902031.

Another aspect of the invention relates to use of soybean varietyAR0902031, representative seed of soybean variety AR0902031 having beendeposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12278, to produce a geneticmarker profile.

Another aspect of the invention relates to use of a descendant ofsoybean variety AR0902031, representative seed of soybean varietyAR0902031 having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12278,and wherein the descendant is produced by self-pollinating soybeanvariety AR0902031 and the descendant expresses the physiological andmorphological characteristics of soybean variety AR0902031 listed inTable 1 as determined at the 5% significance level when grown undersubstantially similar environmental conditions, to produce a geneticmarker profile.

Another aspect of the invention relates to use of a descendant ofsoybean variety AR0902031, representative seed of soybean varietyAR0902031 having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12278,and wherein the descendant is derived from soybean variety AR0902031 andis produced by self-pollinating soybean variety AR0902031, to produce agenetic marker profile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the Geographic Segment Chart—GSEGC shows the breakout forgrain yield at standard moisture for AR0902031 across geographiclocations.

FIG. 2 shows the Group Mean chart (GRP_MN=Group Mean) of Grain Yield atstandard moisture for AR0902031. This chart shows Yield Stability-Win>5%of trial mean, Tie + or −5% of trial mean, Losses <5% of trial mean. Thechart's vertical axis=yield of target variety, its horizontalaxis=location average yield. When the target variety line is above thelocation average line this is desirable. The RSQ of the target varietyshows a number. This number when it is closest to 1=yield stability.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following data is used to describe and enable the present soybeaninvention.

TRAIT ABBREVIATIONS TRAIT NAME DESCRIPTION RRG_T MC RR Gene PresentRRG_T Glyphosate Resistant Gene Present (Yes or No) STS_T MCSulfonylurea Tolerant Soybean F Sulfonylurea Tolerant Soybean (Yes orNo) FL_CT MC Flower Color FL_CT Flower Color - P = Purple, W = White orSegregating = Mixture of colors PB_CT MC Pubescence Color PB_CTPubescence Color - G = Gray, T = Tawny, Lt = Light Tawny, Segregating =Mixture of Colors PD_CT MC Pod Color PD_CT Pod Color - T = Tawny, B =Brown, Segregating = Mix of Colors HILCT Hilum Color HILCT Hilum Color -G = Gray, BR = Brown, BF = Buff, BL = Black, IB = Imperfect Black, Y =Yellow, IY = Imperfect Yellow, Segregating = Mixture of Colors PRTNPProtein Percent PRTNP Protein Percent @ 13% Moisture OIL_P Oil PercentOIL_P Oil Percent @ 13% Moisture SBSSN Seed Size (Number of Seeds perLB) Seed Size (Number of Seeds per pound) SBSSN STMTR Stem TerminationSTMTR Stem Termination 1 = Determinate 2 = Indeterminate 3 =Semi-Determinate 9 = Segregation RPS_T PRR GENE RPS_T Phytophthora RootRot GENE, 1C, 1K, No Gene, etc. CN1_P SCN Race 1 Female Index % SCN Race1 Female Index % CN3_P SCN Race 3 Female Index % SCN Race 3 Female Index% CN5_P SCN Race 5 Female Index % SCN Race 5 Female Index % CN14P SCNRace 14 Female Index % SCN Race 14 Female Index % SN_T MC SCN Resistancesource SN_T Soybean Nematode Resistance Source MI_R Root Knot IncognitaMI_R Root Knot Incognita 1-9 (1 = best) MA_R Root Knot Arenaria MA_RRoot Knot Arenaria 1-9 (1 = best) DPM_R Stem Canker (Southern) DPM_RStem Canker (Southern) Rating 1-9 (1 = best) DPMTR Stem Canker (South)Tolerance Stem Canker (Southern) Tolerance Rating 1-9 (1 = best) DPMTRCLS_T Chloride Sensitivity Chloride Sensitivity Text Excluder =Accumulates Chloride and restricts the Chloride in the roots, Includer =Accumulates Chloride throughout the plant VHNO Variety/Hybrid Number Acode designating a particular variety YGSMN Grain Yield at Std MST -YGSMN Grain Yield at Standard Moisture MRTYN Maturity Days from plantingMRTYN Maturity - Number of days from planting date until the cultivarhas reached its maturity. HLDGR Harvest Lodging HLDGR Harvest Lodging 1= All erect; 5 = 45 degrees; 9 = flat PLHTN Plant Height (cm) PlantHeight in centimeters GLDGR Green Lodging GLDGR Green Lodging Rating R5to R6 1 = All erect, 5 = 45 degree, 9 = flat PLCNR Plant Canopy RatingPLCNR Plant Canopy Rating 1 = No branching, 5 = Average, 9 = ProfusePLBRR Plant Branching PLBRR Plant Branching Rating 1 = No branching, 5 =Average, 9 = Profuse PRR_R Phytophthora Root Rot Tolerance PhytophthoraRoot Rot Field Tolerance Rating 1-9 (1 = best) for field tolerance PRR_RBSR_R Brown Stem Rot BSR_R Brown Stem Rot Rating 1-9 (1 = best) EMRGREmergence EMRGR Emergence 1-9 (1 = best) EPA_R Early Plot AppearanceEPA_R Early Plot Appearance - emergence, evenness of stand V2-V6 FELSRFrogeye Leaf Spot FELSR Frogeye Leaf Spot Rating 1-9 (1 = best) GMSTPMoisture % (Field) MST_P Moisture % (Field) GS_R Green Stem GS_R GreenStem Rating 1-9 (1 = best) HVAPR Harvest Appearance HVAPR OverallHarvest Appearance 1 = Excellent; 5 = Average; 9 = Poor IC_R IronChlorosis IC_R Iron Chlorosis Rating or Calculated from Flash & RecoveryMean 1-9 (1 = best) ICFLR Iron Chlorosis Yellow Flash Rate IronChlorosis Yellow Flash Rating 1-9 (1 = best) ICFLR ICR_R Iron ChlorosisRecovery ICR_R Iron Chlorosis Recovery Rating 1-9 (1 = best) SDS_RSudden Death Syndrome SDS_R Sudden Death Syndrome Rating 1-9 (1 = best)STR_R Shattering STR_R Shattering 1-9 (1 = best) TESTP Test % TESTP TheMean Yield of the variety, expressed as a percentage of the Mean Yieldof all varieties in the trial.

DEFINITIONS

Hypocotyl Length (Hyp_R) A rating of a variety's hypocotyl extensionafter germination when planted at a 5″ depth in sand and maintained in awarm germination environment for 10 days.

Seedling Establishment (EMRGR) A rating of uniform establishment andgrowth of seedlings. Rating is taken between the V1 and V3 growth stagesand is a 1 to 9 rating with 1 being the best stand establishment.

Seed Coat Peroxidase (Perox)—seed protein peroxidase activity is achemical taxonomic technique to separate cultivars based on the presenceor absence of the peroxidase enzyme in the seed coat. Ratings arePOS=positive for peroxidase enzyme or NEG=negative for peroxidaseenzyme.

Plant Height (PLHTN) The average measured plant height, in centimeters,of 5 uniform plants per plot, taken just prior to harvest.

Plant Branching (PLBRR) Rating of the number of branches and theirrelative importance to yield. This rating is taken at growth expressivelocations. 1=no branching, 5=average and 9=profuse. Ratings taken justprior to harvest.

Green Lodging (GLDGR) Rating based on the average of plants leaning fromvertical at the R5 to R6 growth stage. 1=all are erect, 5=averageerectness. 9=all are flat. Rating of one is the best rating.

Harvest Lodging (HLDGR) Rating based on the average of plants leaningfrom vertical at harvest. Lodging score (1=completely upright, 5=45degree angle from upright; 9=completely prostrate). Rating one is thebest rating and ratings are taken just prior to harvest.

Phytophthora Root Rot (PRR_R) means a Phytophthora Root Rot fieldtolerance rating. Rating is 1-9 with one being the best. The informationcan also include the listing of the actual resistance gene (RPS_T), forexample, Rps gene 1C.

Root Knot Nematode (RKN) Greenhouse screen—45 day screen of rootsinoculated with eggs and juveniles. Rating Scale based upon femalereproduction index on a susceptible check set determined by number ofgalls present on the root mass. Rating scale is 1-9 with 1 being best.Species specific ratings: Arenaria (MA_R), Incognita (MI_R), Javanica(MJ_R).

Stem Canker (Southern) (DPM_R) Greenhouse screen to identify vertical(gene) type of resistance. One week old soybean seedlings are inoculatedwith the stem canker pathogen by opening up a small slit into thehypocotyl and depositing a small drop of the fungal suspension. Theinoculated seedlings are then placed into a moisture chamber. When theseedlings of the known checks have collapsed, disease severity ratingare given on a 1-9 score. One being the best.

Stem canker (Southern) tolerance (DPMTR) Field nursery. The objective ofthis test is to evaluate the Field Resistance/Tolerance of soybean linesunder field conditions. This is necessary due to the fact that of thefour known genes that convey vertical type of resistance to stem canker,one gene (Rdc4 from the variety Dowling), exhibits a 40-50% plant kill(false positive) when screened in the greenhouse using the hypocotylinoculation technique. Lines that scored a rating of 4-9 in thegreenhouse are planted in the field. They are sprayed at least 5 timesduring their first month of development with a spore suspensioncontaining the stem canker fungus. With the inclusion of verysusceptible stem canker checks, we are able to identify horizontal(field resistance/tolerance) resistance in certain lines. Quite often,lines scoring a 9 in the greenhouse, rate a score of 1 in the field dueto either having the Rdc4 gene or having good fieldresistance/tolerance. Disease severity scores are once again given on a1-9 scale when the plants have reached the R6 growth stage of plantdevelopment. One being the best.

Brown Stem Rot (BSR_R) This disease is caused by the fungus Phialophoragregata. The disease is a late-season, cool-temperature, soil bornefungus which in appropriate favorable weather can cause up to 30 percentyield losses in soybean fields. BSR_R is an opportunistic field rating.The scale is 1-9. One rating is best.

Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS_R) This disease is caused by slow-growingstrains of Fursarium solani that produce bluish pigments in the centralpart of the culture when produced on a PDA culture. The disease appearsmainly in the reproductive growth stages (R2-R6) of soybeans. Normaldiagnostics are distinctive scattered, intervienal chlorotic spots onthe leaves. Yield losses may be total or severe in infected fields. TheSudden Death Syndrome Rating is both a field nursery and anopportunistic field rating. It is based on leaf area affected as definedby the Southern Illinois University method of SDS scoring. The scaleused for these tests is 1-9. A one rating is best.

Sclerotinia White Mold (SCL_R) This disease is caused by the fungalpathogen Sclerotinia sclerotium. The fungus can overwinter in the soilfor many years as sclerotia and infect plants in prolonged periods ofhigh humidity or rainfall. Yield losses may be total or severe ininfected fields. Sclerotinia White Mold (SCL_R) rating is a field rating(1-9 scale) based on the percentage of wilting or dead plants in a plot.A one rating is the best.

Frog Eye Leaf Spot (FELSR) This is caused by the fungal pathogenCercospora sojina. The fungus survives as mycelium in infected seeds andin infested debris. With adequate moisture new leaves become infected asthey develop until all the leaves are infected. Yield losses may be upto 15% in severe infected fields. Frog Eye Leaf Spot (FELSR) rating is afield rating (1-9 scale) based on the percentage of leaf area affected.The scale is 1-9 where 1=no leaf symptoms and 9=severe leaf symptoms.One is the best rating. To test varieties for Frog Eye Leaf Spot adisease nursery is artificially inoculated with spores. The ratings aredone when the plants have reached the R5-R6 growth stage. Visualcalibration is done with leaf photos of different frogeye severityratings as used by the University of Tennessee and Dr. Melvin Newman,State Plant Pathologist for TN.

Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) The Soybean Cyst Nematode Heteroderaglycines, is a small plant-parasitic roundworm that attacks the roots ofsoybeans. Soybean Cyst Nematode Ratings are taken from a 30 daygreenhouse screen using cyst infested soil. The rating scale is basedupon female reproduction index (FI %) on a susceptible check set((female reproduction on a specific line/female reproduction onSusceptible check)*100) where <10%=R (RESISTANT); >10%-<30%=MR(MODERATELY RESISTANT); >30%-<60%=MS (MODERATELY SUSPECTIBLE); >60%=S(SUSPECTIBLE). The screening races include: 1, 3, 5, 14. Individualratings CN1_P, CN3_P, CN5_P, and CN14_P refer to the resistance to SCNraces 1, 3, 5 and 14 FI % respectively.

Maturity Days from Planting (MRTYN) Plants are considered mature when95% of the pods have reached their mature color. MRTYN is the number ofdays calculated from planting date to 95% mature pod color.

Relative Maturity Group (RM) Industry Standard for varieties groups,based on day length or latitude. Long day length (northern areas in theNorthern Hemisphere) are classified as (Groups 000,00,0). Mid daylengths variety groups lie in the middle group (Groups I-VI). Very shortday lengths variety groups (southern areas in Northern Hemisphere) areclassified as (Groups VII, VIII, IX).

Grain Yield at Standard Moisture (YGSMN) The actual grain yield atstandard moisture (13%) reported in the unit's bushels/acre.

Shattering (STR_R) The rate of pod dehiscence prior to harvest. Poddehiscence is the process of beans dropping out of the pods. Advancedvarieties are planted in a replicated nursery south of their adaptedzone to promote early senescence. Mature plots are allowed to stand inthe field to endure heat/cool and especially wet/dry cycles. Rating isbased on the differences between varieties of the amount of open podsand soybeans that have fallen on the ground. The rating scale is 1-9with 1=no shattering and 9=severe shattering. One rating is best.

Yield Test Percentage (TESTP) The mean yield of the subject varietyexpressed as a percentage of the mean yield of all varieties in thetrial.

Plant Parts Means the embryos, anthers, pollen, nodes, roots, root tips,flowers, petals, pistols, seeds, pods, leaves, stems, meristematic cellsand other cells (but only to the extent the genetic makeup of the cellhas both paternal and maternal material) and the like.

Palmitic Acid Means a fatty acid, C₁₅H₃₁COOH, occurring in soybean. Thisis one of the five principal fatty acids of soybean oil.

Linolenic Acid Means an unsaturated fatty acid, C₁₇H₂₉COOH, occurring insoybean. This is one of the five principal fatty acids of soybean oil.

Stearic Acid Means a colorless, odorless, waxlike fatty acid,CH₃(CH₂)₁₆COOH, occurring in soybean. This is one of the five principalfatty acids of soybean oil.

Oleic Acid Means an oily liquid fatty acid, C₁₇H₃₃COOH, occurring insoybean. This is one of the five principal fatty acids of soybean oil.

Linoleic Acid Means an unsaturated fatty acid, C₁₇H₃₁COOH, occurring insoybean. This is one of the five principal fatty acids of soybean oil.

Plant Means the plant, in any of its stages of life including the seedor the embryo, the cotyledon, the plantlet, the immature or the matureplant, the plant parts, plant protoplasts, plant cells of tissue culturefrom which soybean plants can be regenerated, plant calli, plant clumps,and plant cells (but only to the extent the genetic makeup of the cellhas both paternal and maternal material) that are intact in plants orparts of the plants, such as pollen, anther, nodes, roots, flowers,seeds, pods, leaves, stems, petals and the like.

Bud Blight (virus—tobacco ringspot virus): A virus disease of soybeans,symptoms form a curled brown crook out of the terminal bud of plants.

Soybean Mosaic (virus): This soybean virus appears as a yellow vein oninfected plants. This virus will show in the veins of developing leaves.Leaves look narrow and have puckered margins. Infection results in lessseed formed in odd shaped pods. The virus is vectored by aphids.

Bean Pod Mottle Virus (virus): The bean leaf beetle vectored virus. Thisvirus causes a yellow-green mottling of the leaf particularly in coolweather.

Target Spot (fungus—Alternaria sp.): This fungus infects leaves, alsoshows spots on pods and stems.

Anthracnose (fungus—Colletotrichum dematium var. truncatum): This fungusinfects stems, petioles and pods of almost mature plants.

Brown Leaf Spot (fungus—Septoria glycines): Early foliar disease onsoybeans in springtime.

Downy Mildew (fungus—Peronospora manshurica): Fungus appears on thetopside of the leaf. The fungus appears as indefinite yellowish-greenareas on the leaf.

Purple Seed Stain (fungus—Cercospora kikuchii): This fungus is on themature soybean seed coat and appears as a pink or light to dark purplediscoloration.

Seed Decay and Seedling Diseases (fungi—Pythium sp., Phytophthora sp.,Rhizoctonia sp., Diaporthe sp.): When damage or pathology causes reducedseed quality, then the soybean seedlings are often predisposed to thesedisease organisms.

Bacterial Blight (bacterium—Pseudomonas syringae pv. glycinea): Asoybean disease that appears on young soybean plants.

Charcoal Rot (fungus—Macrophomina phaseolina): Charcoal rot is a sandysoil, mid-summer soybean disease.

Rhizobium-Induced Chlorosis: A chlorosis appearing as light green towhite which appears 6-8 weeks during rapid plant growth.

Bacterial Pustule (bacterium—Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli): Thisis usually a soybean leaf disease; however, the disease from the leavesmay infect pods.

Cotton Root Rot (fungus—Phymatotrichum omnivorum): This summertimefungus causes plants to die suddenly.

Pod and Stem Blight (fungus—Diaporthe phaseolorum var. sojae): Thefungus attacks the maturing pod and stem and kills the plant.

Treated Seed means the seed of the present invention with a pesticidalcomposition. Pesticidal compositions include but are not limited tomaterial that are insecticidal, fungicidal, detrimental to pathogens, orsometimes herbicidal.

Variety: This term is used interchangeably with the term “cultivar” or“line”.

Resistance: This term is used interchangeably with the term “tolerance”.

Definitions of Staging of Development

The plant development staging system employed in the testing of thisinvention divides stages as vegetative (V) and reproductive (R). Thissystem accurately identifies the stages of any soybean plant. However,all plants in a given field will not be in the stage at the same time.Therefore, each specific V or R stage is defined as existing when 50% ormore of the plants in the field are in or beyond that stage.

The first two stages of V are designated a VE (emergence) and VC(cotyledon stage). Subdivisions of the V stages are then designatednumerically as V1, V2, V3 through V (n). The last V stage is designatedas V (n), where (n) represents the number for the last node stage of thespecific variety. The (n) will vary with variety and environment. Theeight subdivisions of the reproductive stages (R) states are alsodesignated numerically. R1=beginning bloom; R2=full bloom; R3=beginningpod; R4=full pod; R5=beginning seed; R6=full seed; R7=beginningmaturity; R8=full maturity.

Soybean Cultivar AR0902031

The present invention comprises a soybean plant, its progeny, its seedor their cells characterized by molecular and physiological dataobtained from the representative sample of said variety deposited withthe American Type Culture Collection. Additionally, the presentinvention comprises a soybean plant, its progeny, its seed or theircells comprising the homozygous alleles of the variety, formed by thecombination of the disclosed soybean plant or plant cell with anothersoybean plant or cell, or by self-pollination.

The invention is a novel soybean variety designated AR0902031 has arelative maturity of 2.0 with high yield potential. Specific area wherebest adaptation occurs includes the U.S. Midwest and southern Ontario,Canada and where other late Maturity Group I and early Maturity Group IIsoybeans are grown. The present invention AR0902031 is employed in anumber of plot repetitions to establish trait characteristics.

The present invention AR0902031 has an RM of 2.0, to be soldcommercially where other early group 2 soybean varieties are grown.Yield performance is good, as demonstrated in FIG. 1. AR0902031 performswell in both low yielding environments and higher yielding environments,as demonstrated in FIG. 2. Traits of the invention are listed in Table1, 2 and 3.

The soybean variety AR0902031 can be developed using both traditionalplant breeding technologies, e.g., backcrossing, and genetic engineeringtechnologies, e.g., marker assisted selection. The cultivar wasdeveloped through a crossing of S25-T5 and S19-K8. Both S25-T5 andS19-K8 are conventional varieties developed and marketed by Syngenta inCanada. The cross was made in a winter nursery in South America. F1 ofthe cross was grown in a winter nursery in Hawaii, and allowed to selfpollinate to produce F2 seeds. F2 was planted in a winter nursery inHawaii, and a modified single seed descent breeding was employed toadvance generations. F2 and F3 were grown in a winter nursery in Hawaii.F4 was grown in Arva, Ontario, and individual plants were selected. Theselected individual plants were grown in a single replicate yield trialin Arva, Ontario. One of the selections was advanced and identified asAR0902031. AR0902031 (F6-F9) has been tested in Canada and the UnitedStates.

The soybean variety AR0902031 is substantially homozygous and can bereproduced by techniques known in the art. The soybean variety AR0902031or its seed or their cell, a soybean plant produced from or using thevariety AR0902031, its seed or their cell, can be used to develop a newsoybean variety.

This soybean variety AR0902031, its seed or their cell in one embodimentcarries one or more transgenes, for example, the glyphosate tolerancetransgene, a desaturase gene or other transgenes. In another embodimentof the invention, the soybean variety AR0902031, its seed or their celldoes not carry any herbicide resistance traits. In yet anotherembodiment of the invention, the soybean variety AR0902031, its seed ortheir cell does not carry any transgenes but carries alleles for aphidresistance, cyst nematode resistance and/or brown stem rot or the like.

The present invention provides methods and composition relating toplants, seeds and derivatives of the soybean cultivar AR0902031. Soybeancultivar AR0902031 has superior characteristics. The AR0902031 line hasbeen selfed sufficient number of generations to provide a stable anduniform plant variety.

Cultivar AR0902031 shows no variants other than expected due toenvironment or that normally would occur for almost any characteristicduring the course of repeated sexual reproduction. Some of the criteriaused to select in various generations include: seed yield, emergence,appearance, disease tolerance, maturity, plant height, and shatteringdata.

The inventor believes that AR0902031 is similar in relative maturity tothe comparison varieties. However, as shown in the figures and tables,AR0902031 differs from these cultivars.

Direct comparisons were made between AR0902031 and the listed commercialvarieties. Traits measured may include yield, maturity, lodging, plantheight, branching, field emergence, and shatter. The results of thecomparison are presented in Table 2. The number of tests in which thevarieties were compared is shown with the environments, mean andstandard deviation for some traits.

The present invention AR0902031, its seed and their cell can carrygenetic engineered recombinant genetic material to give improved traitsor qualities to the soybean. For example, but not limited to, thepresent invention can carry the glyphosate resistance gene for herbicideresistance as taught in the Monsanto patents (WO92/00377, WO92/04449,U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,642 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,910) or STS mutation forherbicide resistance. Additional traits carried in transgenes ormutation can be transferred into the present invention. Some of thesegenes include genes that give disease resistance to sclerotinia such asthe oxalate oxidase (Ox Ox) gene as taught in PCT/FR92/00195 RhonePolunc and/or an oxalate decarboxylase gene for disease resistance orgenes designed to alter the soybean oil within the seed such asdesaturase, thioesterase genes (shown in EP0472722, U.S. Pat. No.5,344,771) or genes designed to alter the soybean's amino acidcharacteristics. This line can be crossed with another soybean linewhich carries a gene that acts to provide herbicide resistance or alterthe saturated and/or unsaturated fatty acid content of the oil withinthe seed, or the amino acid profile of the seed.

This invention also is directed to methods for producing a new soybeanplant by crossing a first parent plant with a second parent plantwherein the first or second parent plant is the present invention.Additionally, the present invention may be used in the varietydevelopment process to derive progeny in a breeding population orcrossing. Further, both first and second parent plants can be or arederived from the soybean line AR0902031. A variety of breeding methodscan be selected depending on the mode of reproduction, the trait, thecondition of the germplasm. Thus, any such methods using the AR0902031are part of this invention: selfing, backcrosses, recurrent selection,mass selection and the like.

This invention is also directed to use of the soybean variety AR0902031,its progeny, their seed and their cell. In an embodiment, the soybeanvariety or its progeny can be used to produce its seeds, to breed asoybean plant, to grow a crop or to cross it with other soybean lines.The methods for producing seeds, breeding plants, growing plants orcrossing plants are well known in the art. In another embodiment, thesoybean variety can be used to produce edible material including, butnot limited to, protein concentrate, a protein isolate, soybean hulls,soybean meal, soybean flour or soybean oil.

The scope of the present invention includes use of marker methods. Inaddition to phenotypic observations, the genotype of a plant can also beexamined. There are many techniques or methods known which are availablefor the analysis, comparison and characterization of plant's genotypeand for understanding the pedigree of the present invention andidentifying plants that have the present invention as an ancestor; amongthese are Isozyme Electrophoresis, Restriction Fragment LengthPolymorphisms (RFLPs), Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs),Arbitrarily Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction (AP-PCR), DNA AmplificationFingerprinting (DAF), Sequence Characterized Amplified Regions (SCARs),Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs), and Simple SequenceRepeats (SSRs) which are also referred to as Microsatellites.

A backcross conversion, transgene, or genetic sterility factor, may bein an embodiment of the present invention. Markers can be useful intheir development, such that the present invention comprising backcrossconversion(s), transgene(s), or genetic sterility factor(s), and areidentified by having a molecular marker profile with a high percentidentity such as 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5% or 99.9% identical tothe present invention.

These embodiments may be detected using measurements by either percentidentity or percent similarity to the deposited material. These markersmay detect progeny plants identifiable by having a molecular markerprofile of at least 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%,75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%,89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 99.5% geneticcontribution from an embodiment of the present soybean variety. Suchprogeny may be further characterized as being within a pedigree distanceof 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 or more cross-pollinations to a soybean plant otherthan the present invention or a plant that has the present invention asa progenitor. Molecular profiles may be identified with SNP, SingleNucleotide Polymorphism, or other tools also.

Traits are average values for all trial locations, across all years inwhich the data was taken. In addition to the visual traits that aretaken, the genetic characteristic of the plant can also be characterisedby its genetic marker profile. The profile can interpret or predict thepedigree of the line, the relation to another variety, determine theaccuracy of a listed breeding strategy, or invalidate a suggestedpedigree. Soybean linkage maps were known by 1999 as evidenced in Creganet. al, “An Integrated Genetic Linkage Map of the Soybean Genome” CropScience 39:1464 1490 (1999); and using markers to determine pedigreeclaims was discussed by Berry et al., in “Assessing Probability ofAncestry Using Simple Sequence Repeat Profiles: Applications to MaizeInbred Lines and Soybean Varieties” Genetics 165:331 342 (2003). Markersinclude but are not limited to Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms(RFLPs), Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs), Arbitrarily PrimedPolymerase Chain Reaction (AP-PCR), DNA Amplification Fingerprinting(DAF), Sequence Characterized Amplified Regions (SCARs), AmplifiedFragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs), Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs)which are also referred to as Microsatellites, and Single NucleotidePolymorphisms (SNPs). There are known sets of public markers that arebeing examined by ASTA and other industry groups for their applicabilityin standardizing determinations of what constitutes an essentiallyderived variety. However, these standard markers do not limit the typeof marker and marker profile which can be employed in breeding ordeveloping backcross conversions, or in distinguishing varieties orplant parts or plant cells, or verify a progeny pedigree. Primers andPCR protocols for assaying these and other markers are disclosed in theSoybase (sponsored by the USDA Agricultural Research Service and IowaState University). For example, AR0902031 may be used to produce agenetic market profile, and the genetic marker profile may be used toidentify the soybean variety AR0902031, its seed, their cell, and aplant produced through the use of AR0902031, its seed or their cell. Thegenetic marker profile may also be used to verify a pedigree or progenyplant or plant cells produced through the use of AR0902031, its seed ortheir cell.

Additionally, these markers such as SSRs, RFLPs, SNPs, Ests, AFLPs, geneprimers, and the like can be developed and employed to identify geneticalleles which have an association with a desired trait. The allele canbe used in a marker assisted breeding program to move traits (native,normative (from a different species), or transgenes) into the presentinvention. The value of markers includes allowing the introgression ofthe allele(s)/trait(s) into the desired germplasm with little to nosuperfluous germplasm being dragged from the allele/trait donor plantinto the present invention. This results in formation of the presentinvention for example, cyst nematode resistance, brown stem rotresistance, aphid resistance, Phytophthora resistance, IDC resistance,BT genes, male sterility genes, glyphosate tolerance genes or droughttolerance genes. Additionally, the invention through transgenes, or if anative trait through markers or backcross breeding, can include apolynucleotide encoding phytase, FAD-2, FAD-3, galactinol synthase or araffinose synthetic enzyme; or a polynucleotide conferring resistance tosoybean cyst nematode, brown stem rot, phytophthora root rot, or suddendeath syndrome or resistance, tolerance to FUNGAL DISEASES such as:Alternaria spp., Agrobacterium rhizogenes, Calonectria crotalariae,Cercospora kikuchii, Cercospora sojina, Choanephora infundibulifera,Colletotrichum spp., Corynespora cassiicola, Curtobacteriumflaccumfaciens, Dactuliochaeta glycines, Diaporthe phaseolorum, Fusariumoxysporum, Macrophomina phaseolina, Microsphaera difusa, Peronosporamanshurica, Phakopsora pachyrhizi, Phialophora gregata, Phomopsisphaseolorum, Phyllosticta sojicola, Phytophthora sojae, Pseudomonassyringae, Pythium spp., Rhizoctonia solana, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum,Sclerotium rolfsii, Septoria glycines, Sphaceloma glycines,Thielaviopsis basicota.; or tolerance to BACTERIAL and VIRAL DISEASESsuch as: Xanthomonas campestres, Cowpea Chlorotic Mottle Virus (CCMV),Peanut Mottle Virus (PMV), Tobacco Streak Virus (TSV), Bean YellowMosaic Virus (BYMV), Black Gram Mottle Virus (BGMV), Cowpea Mild MottleVirus (CMMV), Cowpea Severe Mosaic Virus (CSMV), Indonesian SoybeanDwarf Virus (ISDV), Mung Bean Yellow Mosaic Virus (MYMV), Peanut StripeVirus (VPMM), Soybean Chlorotic Mottle Virus, Soybean Crinkle LeafVirus, Soybean Yellow Vein Virus (SYVV), Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV);NEMATODES such as: Belonolaimus gracilis, Meloidogyne spp, Rotylenchulusreniformis, Pratylenchus spp., Hoplolaimus sulumbus, Heteroderaschachtii.

Many traits have been identified that are not regularly selected for inthe development of a new cultivar. Using materials and methods wellknown to those persons skilled in the art, traits that are capable ofbeing transferred, to cultivar of the present invention include, but arenot limited to, herbicide tolerance, resistance for bacterial, fungal,or viral disease, nematode resistance, insect resistance, modifiedstress tolerance, enhanced nutritional quality, such as oil, starch andprotein content or quality, modified nutrient deficiency tolerance,modified fatty acid metabolism, modified carbohydrate metabolism,improved performance in an industrial process, altered reproductivecapability, such as male sterility or male/female fertility, yieldstability and yield enhancement. Where the trait is herbicidetolerance/resistance, it can be, for example, tolerance to4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) inhibiting herbicides. Thetrait can also be herbicide resistance to a herbicide selected from thegroup comprising or consisting of glyphosate, sulfonylurea,imidazalinone, dicamba, glufosinate, phosphinothricin, phenoxypropionicacid, cycloshexone, triazine, benzonitrile, and bromoxynil. Other traitsinclude the production of commercially valuable enzymes or metaboliteswithin the present invention.

A transgene typically comprises a nucleotide sequence whose expressionis responsible or contributes to the trait, under the control of apromoter capable of directing the expression of the nucleotide sequenceat the desired time in the desired tissue or part of the plant.Constitutive, tissue-specific or inducible promoters are well known inthe art and have different purposes and each could be employed. Thetransgene(s) may also comprise other regulatory elements such as forexample translation enhancers or termination signals. The transgene maybe adapted to be transcribed and translated into a protein, or to encodeRNA in a sense or antisense orientation such that it is not translatedor only partially translated. For example, the soybean varietyAR0902031, its progeny, its seed or their cell can be used as arecipient of one or more transgene or locus that confers a desired traitor that prevents the expression of certain traits.

Transgenes may be directly introduced into the cultivar using geneticengineering and transformation techniques well known in the art orintroduced into the cultivar through a process which uses a donor parentwhich has the transgene(s) already introgressed. This process ofintroduction of a transgene(s) or native/non-native traits into thecultivar may use the donor parent in a marker assisted trait conversionprocess, where the trait may be moved for example by backcrossing usingthe markers for selection of subsequent generations.

The laboratory-based techniques described above, in particular RFLP andSSR, can be used in such backcrosses to identify the progenies havingthe highest degree of genetic identity with the recurrent parent. Thispermits one to accelerate the production of soybean cultivars having atleast 90%, 95%, 99% genetic, or genetically identical to the recurrentparent, and further comprising the trait(s) introgressed from the donorparent. Such determination of genetic identity can be based on markersused in the laboratory-based techniques described above.

The last backcross generation is then selfed to give pure breedingprogeny for the gene(s) being transferred. The resulting plants haveessentially all of the morphological and physiological characteristicsof cultivar of the present invention, in addition to the gene trait(s)transferred to the inbred. The exact backcrossing protocol will dependon the trait being altered to determine an appropriate testing protocol.Although backcrossing methods are simplified when the trait beingtransferred is a dominant allele, a recessive allele may also betransferred. In this instance it may be necessary to introduce a test ofthe progeny to determine if the desired trait has been successfullytransferred.

The cultivar of the invention can also be used for transformation whereexogenous genes are introduced and expressed by the cultivar of theinvention. Genetic variants created either through traditional breedingmethods using cultivar of the present invention or throughtransformation of such cultivar by any of a number of protocols known tothose of skill in the art are intended to be within the scope of thisinvention (see e.g. Trick et al. (1997) Recent Advances in SoybeanTransformation, Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology, 3:9-26).

Transformation methods are means for integrating new genetic codingsequences (transgenes) into the plant's genome by the incorporation ofthese sequences into a plant through man's assistance. Many dicotsincluding soybeans can easily be transformed with Agrobacterium. Methodsof introducing desired recombinant DNA molecule into plant tissueinclude the direct infection or co-cultivation of plant cells withAgrobacterium tumefaciens, Horsch et al., Science, 227:1229 (1985).Descriptions of Agrobacterium vector systems and methods are shown inGruber, et al., “Vectors for Plant Transformation, in Methods in PlantMolecular Biology & Biotechnology” in Glich et al., (Eds. pp. 89-119,CRC Press, 1993). Transformed plants obtained via protoplasttransformation are also intended to be within the scope of thisinvention. The most common method of transformation after the use ofagrobacterium is referred to as gunning or microprojectile bombardment.This process has small gold-coated particles coated with DNA (includingthe transgene) shot into the transformable material. Techniques forgunning DNA into cells, tissue, explants, meristems, callus, embryos,and the like are well known in the prior art.

The DNA used for transformation of these plants clearly may be circular,linear, and double or single stranded.

Some of the time the DNA is in the form of a plasmid. The plasmid maycontain additional regulatory and/or targeting sequences which assistthe expression or targeting of the gene in the plant. The methods offorming plasmids for transformation are known in the art. Plasmidcomponents can include such items as: leader sequences, transitpolypeptides, promoters, terminators, genes, introns, marker genes, etc.The structures of the gene orientations can be sense, antisense, partialantisense or partial sense: multiple gene copies can be used.

After the transformation of the plant material is complete, the nextstep is identifying the cells or material, which has been transformed.In some cases, a screenable marker is employed such as thebeta-glucuronidase gene of the uidA locus of E. coli. Then, thetransformed cells expressing the colored protein are selected for eitherregeneration or further use. In many cases, a selectable markeridentifies the transformed material. The putatively transformed materialis exposed to a toxic agent at varying concentrations. The cells nottransformed with the selectable marker, which provides resistance tothis toxic agent, die. Cells or tissues containing the resistantselectable marker generally proliferate. It has been noted that althoughselectable markers protect the cells from some of the toxic affects ofthe herbicide or antibiotic, the cells may still be slightly affected bythe toxic agent by having slower growth rates. If the transformedmaterials are cell lines then these lines are used to regenerate plants.The cells' lines are treated to induce tissue differentiation. Methodsof regeneration of plants are well known in the art. General methods ofculturing plant tissues are provided for example by Maki et al.“Procedures for Introducing Foreign DNA into Plants” in Methods in PlantMolecular Biology & Biotechnology, Glich et al. (Eds. pp. 67-88 CRCPress, 1993); and by Phillips et al. “Cell-Tissue Culture and In-VitroManipulation” in Soybean & Soybean Improvement, 3rd Edition Sprague etal. (Eds. pp. 345-387) American Society of Agronomy Inc. et al. 1988.

The plants from the transformation process or the plants resulting froma cross using a transformed line or the progeny of such plants whichcarry the transgene are transgenic plants.

The genes responsible for a specific gene trait are generally inheritedthrough the nucleus. Known exceptions are, e.g. the genes for malesterility, some of which are inherited cytoplasmically, but still act assingle gene traits. Male sterile soybean germplasm for hybrid soybeanproduction was taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,204. In a preferredembodiment, a transgene to be introgressed into the cultivar AR0902031is integrated into the nuclear genome of the donor, non-recurrent parentor the transgene is directly transformed into the nuclear genome ofcultivar AR0902031. In another embodiment of the invention, a transgeneto be introgressed into cultivar AR0902031 is integrated into theplastid genome of the donor, non-recurrent parent or the transgene isdirectly transformed into the plastid genome of cultivar AR0902031. In afurther embodiment of the invention, a plastid transgene comprises agene that has transcribed from a single promoter, or two or more genestranscribed from a single promoter.

A non-exclusive list of traits or nucleotide sequences capable of beingtransferred into cultivar AR0902031, using material and methods wellknown to those persons skilled in the art are as follows: geneticfactor(s) responsible for resistance to brown stem rot (U.S. Pat. No.5,689,035) or resistance to cyst nematodes (U.S. Pat. No. 5,491,081); atransgene encoding an insecticidal protein, such as, for example, acrystal protein of Bacillus thuringiensis or a vegetative insecticidalprotein from Bacillus cereus, such as VIP3 (see, for example, Estruch etal. Nat Biotechnol (1997) 15:137-41; a herbicide tolerance transgenewhose expression renders plants tolerant to the herbicide, for example,expression of an altered acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) enzyme confersupon plants tolerance to various imidazolinone or sulfonamide herbicides(U.S. Pat. No. 4,761,373.) Other traits capable of being transformedinto cultivar AR0902031 include, for example, a non-transgenic traitconferring to cultivar AR0902031 tolerance to imidazolinones orsulfonylurea herbicides; a transgene encoding a mutant acetolactatesynthase (ALS) that renders plants resistant to inhibition bysulfonylurea herbicides (U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,659); a gene encoding amutant glutamine synthetase (GS) resistant to inhibition by herbicidesthat are known to inhibit GS, e.g. phosphinothricin and methioninesulfoximine (U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,374); and a Streptomyces bar geneencoding a phosphinothricin acetyl transferase resulting in tolerance tothe herbicide phosphinothricin or glufosinate (U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,520.)

Other genes capable of being transferred into the cultivar AR0902031 ofthe invention include toleration to inhibition by cyclohexanedione andaryloxyphenoxypropanoic acid herbicides (U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,602), whichis conferred by an altered acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase);transgenic glyphosate tolerant plants, which tolerance is conferred byan altered 5-enolpyruvyl-3-phosphoshikimate (EPSP) synthase gene;tolerance to a protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor, which is achievedby expression of a tolerant protoporphyrinogen oxidase enzyme in plants(U.S. Pat. No. 5,767,373.) Genes encoding altered protox resistant to aprotox inhibitor can also be used in plant cell transformation methods.For example, plants, plant tissue or plant cells transformed with atransgene can also be transformed with a gene encoding an altered protox(See U.S. Pat. No. 6,808,904) capable of being expressed by the plant.The thus-transformed cells are transferred to medium containing theprotox inhibitor wherein only the transformed cells will survive. Protoxinhibitors contemplated to be particularly useful as selective agentsare the diphenylethers (e.g. acifluorfen,5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-2-nitrobezoic acid; its methylester, or oxyfluorfen,2-chloro-1-(3-ethoxy-4-nitrophenoxy)-4-(trifluorobenzene)), oxidiazoles,(e.g. oxidiazon,3-[2,4-dichloro-5-(1-methylethoxy)phenyl]-5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-(3H)-one),cyclic imides (e.g. S-23142,N-(4-chloro-2-fluoro-5-propargyloxyphenyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalimide;chlorophthalim, N-(4-chlorophenyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalimide),phenyl pyrazoles (e.g. TNPP-ethyl, ethyl2-[1-(2,3,4-trichlorophenyl)-4-nitropyrazolyl-5-oxy]propionate; M&B39279), pyridine derivatives (e.g. LS 82-556), and phenopylate and itsO-phenylpyrrolidino- and piperidinocarbamate analogs and bicyclictriazolones as disclosed in the International patent application WO92/04827; EP 532146).

The method is applicable to any plant cell capable of being transformedwith an altered protox-encoding gene, and can be used with any transgeneof interest. Expression of the transgene and the protox gene can bedriven by the same promoter functional on plant cells, or by separatepromoters.

Modified inhibitor-resistant protox enzymes of the present invention areresistant to herbicides that inhibit the naturally occurring protoxactivity. The herbicides that inhibit protox include many differentstructural classes of molecules (Duke et al., Weed Sci. 39: 465 (1991);Nandihalli et al., Pesticide Biochem. Physiol. 43: 193 (1992); Matringeet al., FEBS Lett. 245: 35 (1989); Yanase and Andoh, Pesticide Biochem.Physiol. 35: 70 (1989)), including the diphenylethers {e.g.acifluorifen, 5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-2-nitrobezoicacid; its methyl ester; or oxyfluorfen,2-chloro-1-(3-ethoxy-4-nitrophenoxy)-4-(trifluorobenzene)}, oxidiazoles(e.g. oxidiazon,3-[2,4-dichloro-5-(1-methylethoxy)phenyl]-5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-(3H)-one),cyclic imides (e.g. S-23142,N-(4-chloro-2-fluoro-5-propargyloxyphenyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalimide;chlorophthalim, N-(4-chlorophenyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalimide),phenyl pyrazoles (e.g. TNPP-ethyl, ethyl2-[1-(2,3,4-trichlorophenyl)-4-nitropyrazolyl-5-oxy]propionate; M&B39279), pyridine derivatives (e.g. LS 82-556), and phenopylate and itsO-phenylpyrrolidino- and piperidinocarbamate analogs.

Direct selection may be applied where the trait acts as a dominanttrait. An example of a dominant trait is herbicide tolerance. For thisselection process, the progeny of the initial cross are sprayed with theherbicide prior to the backcrossing. The spraying eliminates any plantthat does not have the desired herbicide tolerance characteristic, andonly those plants that have the herbicide tolerance gene are used in thesubsequent backcross. This process is then repeated for the additionalbackcross generations.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a transgenetransformed or introgressed into cultivar AR0902031 comprises a geneconferring tolerance to a herbicide and at least another nucleotidesequence for another trait, such as for example, insect resistance ortolerance to another herbicide. Another gene capable of beingtransferred into the cultivar AR0902031 of the invention expressesthioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase enzymes for modifying graindigestibility and nutrient availability (U.S. Pat. Appl. No.20030145347.)

Further reproduction of the cultivar can occur by tissue culture andregeneration. Tissue culture of various tissues of soybeans andregeneration of plants therefrom is well known and widely published. Forexample, reference may be had to Komatsuda, T. et al., “Genotype XSucrose Interactions for Somatic Embryogenesis in Soybean,” Crop Sci.31:333-337 (1991); Stephens, P. A. et al., “Agronomic Evaluation ofTissue-Culture-Derived Soybean Plants,” Theor. Appl. Genet. (1991)82:633-635; Komatsuda, T. et al., “Maturation and Germination of SomaticEmbryos as Affected by Sucrose and Plant Growth Regulators in SoybeansGlycine gracilis Skvortz and Glycine max (L.) Merr.,” Plant Cell, Tissueand Organ Culture, 28:103-113 (1992); Dhir, S. et al., “Regeneration ofFertile Plants from Protoplasts of Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.):Genotypic Differences in Culture Response,” Plant Cell Reports (1992)11:285-289; Pandey, P. et al., “Plant Regeneration from Leaf andHypocotyl Explants of Glycine wightii (W. and A.) VERDC. varlongicauda,” Japan J. Breed. 42:1-5 (1992); and Shetty, K., et al.,“Stimulation of In Vitro Shoot Organogenesis in Glycine max (Merrill.)by Allantoin and Amides,” Plant Science 81:(1992) 245-251; as well asU.S. Pat. No. 5,024,944, issued Jun. 18, 1991 to Collins et al. and U.S.Pat. No. 5,008,200, issued Apr. 16, 1991 to Ranch et al. Thus, anotheraspect of this invention is to provide cells that upon growth anddifferentiation produce soybean plants having all or essentially all thephysiological and morphological characteristics of cultivar AR0902031.

The seed of soybean cultivar AR0902031 further comprising one or morespecific, single gene traits, the plant produced from the seed, thehybrid soybean plant produced from the crossing of the cultivar with anyother soybean plant, hybrid seed, and various parts of the hybridsoybean plant can be utilized for human food, livestock feed, and as araw material in industry.

Soybean is the world's leading source of vegetable oil and protein meal.The oil extracted from soybeans is used for cooking oil, margarine, andsalad dressings. Soybean oil is composed of saturated, monounsaturatedand polyunsaturated fatty acids. It has a typical composition of 11%palmitic, 4% stearic, 25% oleic, 50% linoleic and 9% linolenic fattyacid content (“Economic Implications of Modified Soybean Traits SummaryReport”, Iowa Soybean Promotion Board & American Soybean AssociationSpecial Report 92S, May 1990.) Changes in fatty acid composition forimproved oxidative stability and nutrition are constantly sought after.(U.S. Pat. No. 5,714,670 Soybeans Having Low Linolenic Acid and LowPalmitic Acid Contents; U.S. Pat. No. 5,763,745 Soybeans Having LowLinolenic Acid Content and Palmitic Acid Content of at Least ElevenPercent; U.S. Pat. No. 5,714,668 Soybeans Having Low Linolenic Acid AndElevated Stearic Acid Content; U.S. Pat. No. 5,714,669 A17 SoybeansHaving Low Linolenic Acid Content and Descendents; U.S. Pat. No.5,710,369 A16 Soybeans Having Low Linolenic Acid Content andDescendents; U.S. Pat. No. 5,534,425 Soybeans Having Low Linolenic AcidContent and Method of Production; U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,844 SoybeansCapable of Forming a Vegetable Oil Having Specified Concentrations ofPalmitic and Stearic Acids; U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,845 Soybeans Capable ofForming a Vegetable Oil Having a Low Saturated Fatty Acid Content; U.S.Pat. No. 5,585,535 Soybeans and Soybean Products Having Low PalmiticAcid Content; U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,029 Soybean Designated AX7017-1-3;U.S. Pat. No. 5,663,485 Soybean Designated A89-259098; U.S. Pat. No.5,684,230 Soybean Designated AX 4663-5-4-5; U.S. Pat. No. 5,684,231Soybean Designated A1937 NMU-85; U.S. Pat. No. 5,714,672 SoybeanDesignated ElginEMS-421; U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,311 Soybeans and SoybeanProducts Having High Palmitic Acid Content; U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,969Soybean Vegetable Oil Having Elevated Concentrations of Both Palmiticand Stearic Acid; U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,037 Soybeans Having ElevatedContents of Saturated Fatty Acids; U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,980 SoybeanVariety XB37ZA; U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,183 Soybean Variety 9253; U.S. Pat.No. 5,750,846 Elevated Palmitic Acid Production in Soybeans; U.S. Pat.No. 6,060,647 Elevated Palmitic Acid Production in Soybeans; U.S. Pat.No. 6,025,509 Elevated Palmitic Acid Production in Soybeans; U.S. Pat.No. 6,133,509 Reduced Linolenic Acid Production in Soybeans; U.S. Pat.No. 5,986,118 Soybean Vegetable Oil Possessing a Reduced Linolenic AcidContent; U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,030 Reduced Linolenic Acid Production inSoybeans). Industrial uses of soybean oil that is subjected to furtherprocessing include ingredients for paints, plastics, fibers, detergents,cosmetics, and lubricants. Soybean oil may be split, inter-esterified,sulfurized, epoxidized, polymerized, ethoxylated, or cleaved. Designingand producing soybean oil derivatives with improved functionality,oliochemistry is a rapidly growing field. The typical mixture oftriglycerides is usually split and separated into pure fatty acids,which are then combined with petroleum-derived alcohols or acids,nitrogen, sulfonates, chlorine, or with fatty alcohols derived from fatsand oils.

The techniques of seed treatment application are well known to thoseskilled in the art, and they may be used readily in the context of thepresent invention. The seed treating compositions can be applied to theseed as slurry, mist or a soak or other means know to those skilled inthe art of seed treatment. There also may be mentioned, e.g., filmcoating or encapsulation. The coating processes are well known in theart, and employ, for seeds, the techniques of film coating orencapsulation, or for the other multiplication products, the techniquesof immersion. Needless to say, the method of application of thecompositions to the seed may be varied and is intended to include anytechnique that is to be used.

The term “fungicide” as utilized herein is intended to cover compoundsactive against phytopathogenic fungi that may belong to a very widerange of compound classes. Examples of compound classes to which thesuitable fungicidally active compound may belong include both roomtemperature (25.degree. C.) solid and room temperature liquid fungicidessuch as: triazole derivatives, strobilurins, carbamates (including thio-and dithiocarbamates), benzimidazoles (thiabendazole),N-trihalomethylthio compounds (captan), substituted benzenes,carboxamides, phenylamides and phenylpyrroles, and mixtures thereof.

The present invention includes a method for preventing damage by a pestto a seed of the present invention and/or shoots and foliage of a plantgrown from the seed of the present invention. Broadly the methodincludes treating the seed of the present invention with a pesticide.The pesticide is a composition that stops pests including insects,diseases, and the like. Broadly compositions for seed treatment caninclude but is not limited to any of one of the following: aninsecticide, or a fungicide.

The method comprises treating an unsown seed of the present inventionwith neonicotinoid composition. One of these compositions isthiamethoxam. Additionally, the neonicotinoid composition can include atleast one pyrethrin or synthetic pyrethroid, to reduce pest damage. Morespecifically there is a method of seed treatment which employsthiamethoxam and at least one pyrethrin or pyrethroid are comprisedwithin a seed coating treated on the seed of the present invention. Thecombination, if thiamethoxam is employed, can be coated at a rate whichis greater than 200 gm/100 kg of seed. The method includes having atleast one of the pyrethroids being a systemic insecticide.

The pyrethrin or synthetic pyrethroid, if employed can be selected fromthe group consisting of taufluvalinate, flumethrin, trans-cyfluthrin,kadethrin, bioresmethrin, tetramethrin, phenothrin, empenthrin,cyphenothrin, prallethrin, imiprothrin, allethrin and bioallethrin.

The fungicidally active compounds and/or the insecticidal activecompounds are employed in a fungicidally and/or insecticidally effectiveamount in the composition. Mixtures of one or more of the followingactive compounds are usable as an active component treatment of the seedof the present invention. Examples of suitable individual compounds foruse in seed treatments are listed below. Where known, the common name isused to designate the individual compounds (q.v. the Pesticide Manual,12th edition, 2001, British Crop Protection Council).

Suitable triazole derivatives include propiconazole, difenoconazole,tebuconazole, tetraconazole and triticonazole. Suitable strobilurinsinclude trifloxystrobin, azoxystrobin, kresoxim-methyl andpicoxystrobin. Suitable carbamates include thiram. Suitable substitutedbenzenes include PCNB and chlorothalonil. Suitable carboxamides includecarboxin. Specific phenylamides usable in the compositions and methodsinclude metalaxyl. A specific phenylpyrrole usable in the composition isfludioxonil.

Other suitable fungicidal compounds that maybe mentioned are Benomyl(also known as Benlate), Bitertanol, Carbendazim, Capropamid, Cymoxanil,Cyprodinil, Ethirimol, Fenpiclonil, Fenpropimorph, Fluquinconazole,Flutolanil, Flutriafol, Fosetyl-aluminum, Fuberidazole, Guazatine,Hymexanol, Kasugamycin, Imazalil, Imibenconazole,Iminoctadine-triacetate, Ipconazole, Iprodione, Mancozeb, Maneb,Mepronil, Metalaxyl, Metalaxyl-M (Mefenoxam), Metconazole, Metiram, MON65500 (Silthiopham-ISO proposed), Myclobutanil, Nuarimol, Oxadixyl,Oxine-copper, Oxolinic acid, Pefurazoate, Pencycuron, Prochloraz,Propamocarb hydrochloride, Pyroquilon, Silthiopham—see MON 65500,Tecnazene, Thifluzamide, Thiophenate-methyl, Toclofos-methyl,Triadimenol, Triazoxide and Triflumizole.

The fungicidally active compounds and/or the insecticidal activecompounds are employed in a fungicidally and/or insecticidally effectiveamount in the composition.

Mixtures of one or more of the following active compounds also areusable as an active component treatment of the seed of the presentinvention.

In one seed treatment, mixtures of at least one ambient liquid fungicide(for example, a phenylamide such as R-metalaxyl) and at least oneambient solid fungicide (for example, a phenylpyrrole such asfludioxonil) could be employed. The apparatus for providing theappropriate amount of seed treatment of a specific chemical compositionfor a seed are well known in the seed coating industry (See, forexample, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,632,819 and 5,891,246).

Soybean is not just a seed it is also used as a grain. The grain is usedas a food source for both animals and humans. Soybean is widely used asa source of protein for animal feeds for poultry, swine and cattle. Thesoybean grain is a commodity. The soybean commodity plant productsinclude but are not limited to protein concentrate, protein isolate,soybean hulls, meal, flower, oil and the whole soybean itself. Duringprocessing of whole soybeans, the fibrous hull is removed and the oil isextracted. The remaining soybean meal is a combination of carbohydratesand approximately 50% protein. For human consumption soybean meal ismade into soybean flour that is processed to protein concentrates usedfor meat extenders or specialty pet foods. Production of edible proteiningredients from soybean offers a healthy less expensive replacement foranimal protein in meats as well as dairy-type products.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Geographic Summary of Yield

The target variety yield is given as a percent of the trial average atall locations shown in FIG. 1 where there are three or more locations.The plots for these trials are two row 13 to 17.5 foot plots planted in30-inch row spacing. The plants in the plots are a combination ofexperimental material and commercial material. There are approximately36 lines and there are approximately 250 plants of each line with tworeplications in about 20-25 locations. The data shown in FIG. 1 is onlycharted if there are at least 3 or more locations.

The present invention differs from the mean of the comparison commercialand experimental soybean lines in that the present soybean cultivar isacross numerous locations, exceeding the mean yield of the group ofsoybeans (GRP_MN) that were tested and displayed in this geographicsegment chart (GSEGC).

The present invention AR0902031 is employed in a trial with a number ofenvironments. The results of the grain yield at standard moisture(YGSMN) are shown in FIG. 2. The soybean cultivar evidences yieldresults in the Trial Location Mean. These tests allow the usefulness ofthe invention to be shown in light of the environmental geneticinteractions.

Example 2 Soymilk/Tofu Analyses

Standard Soymilk/Tofu analyses were conducted with AR0902031 followingprocedures in Mullin et al., 2001, Food Research International34:669-677, and using NIR calibrations provided by the manufacturer ordeveloped at GPCRC. The results of the analyses are presented in Table3.

Deposit Information

Applicants have made a deposit of at least 2500 seeds of soybeancultivar AR0902031 with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC),Manassas, Va. 20110 on Nov. 21, 2011 under Accession Number PTA-12278.Access to this deposit will be available during the pendency of theapplication to the Commissioner for Patents and persons determined bythe Commissioner to be entitled thereto upon request. Upon granting of apatent on any claims in the application, the Applicants will make thedeposit available to the public. The ATCC deposit will be maintained inthat depository, which is a public depository, for a period of 30 years,or 5 years after the last request, or for the enforceable life of thepatent, whichever is longer, and will be replaced if it becomesnonviable during that period.

TABLE 1 Traits of AR0902031 Rps Gene Rps 1c Flower Color PurplePubescence Color Grey Pod Color Tan Hilum Color Yellow % Protein 13%mst. 41.5 % Oil @13% mst. 20.5 SCN Race 3 Fl % Resistant SCN sourcePI8788

TABLE 2 Agronomic and Disease Traits Comparison VHNO YGSMN MRTYN HLDGRPLHTN TESTP AR0902031 51.8 126.9 3.5 110.0 108.2 NE0800097 55.1 136.32.0 103.5 116.3 S23-T5 51.2 131.0 3.1 104.0 108.3 4064827- 48.2 127.82.6 90.6 98.7 36 S20-G7 42.6 126.2 3.5 96.2 88.4 AR0902023 28.5 114.83.5 87.1 58.7

TABLE 3 Soymilk/Tofu Analysis Variety: AR0902031 Company: SyngentaSample contains 100 g protein Crop Year: 2011 Water:protein ratio 18:1Raw Bean Physical characteristics Composition Sample weight 270.7 gMoisture 9.8% Dry matter (DM) 241.0 g Protein 41.5% based on DM SeedSize 17.77 g/ Oil 20.5% based on DM (DM basis) 100 seed Total FreeSugars 12.7% based on DM Water Uptake Factor 2.22 g/g bean Sucrose 7.1%based on DM (as-is) Stachyose 4.9% based on DM Water Uptake Factor 2.46g/g bean Total Carbohydrates 18.6% based on DM (DM basis) TotalIsoflavones 3,080 μg/g HunterLab Color based on DM L 54.24 a 7.63 b20.49 Whiteness Index −39.54 Soymilk Yield (Protein basis) 14.21 L/kgComposition Yield (DM basis) 5.90 L/kg Protein 4.67% (w/v) pH 6.51 Oil3.04% (w/v) L 81.79 Total Free Sugars 1.41% (w/v) a 1.25 Solids 10.79%(w/v) b 15.18 Whiteness Index −8.35 Tofu Coagluant Glucono-δ-lactoneCalcium sulphate Yield (Protein basis) 14.29 13.63 kg tofu/kg proteinYield (DM basis) 5.93 5.66 kg tofu/kg bean Solids 12.54 12.57 % (w/w) pH6.01 6.12 L 81.17 82.31 a 1.07 0.66 b 14.27 14.48 Whiteness Index −4.39−4.49 Compression Hardness 1.1230 0.3029 N (break) Compression Firmness0.1941 0.0741 N/mm Penetration Hardness 0.2022 0.1150 N (break)Penetration Firmness 0.0419 0.0427 N/mm

Table 1, 2 and 3 demonstrate that soybean variety AR0902031 has its ownset of traits. Accordingly, the present invention has been describedwith some degree of particularity directed to the preferred embodimentof the present invention. It should be appreciated that modifications orchanges may be made to the preferred embodiment of the present inventionwithout departing from the inventive concepts contained herein such thatthe scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferredembodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadestinterpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

What is claimed:
 1. A seed of soybean variety AR0902031, wherein arepresentative sample of seed of said soybean variety AR0902031 has beendeposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12278.
 2. A soybean plant, ora part thereof, grown from the seed of claim
 1. 3. A tissue cultureproduced from protoplasts or cells from the plant of claim
 2. 4. Asoybean plant regenerated from the tissue culture of claim
 3. 5. Asoybean plant obtained by transforming the soybean variety of claim 2.6. A seed of the soybean plant according to claim
 5. 7. A method forproducing a soybean seed comprising crossing soybean plants andharvesting the resultant soybean seed, wherein at least one soybeanplant is the soybean plant of claim
 2. 8. A method for producing hybridsoybean seed comprising crossing the soybean plant according to claim 2with a second different soybean plant and harvesting the resultanthybrid soybean seed.
 9. A soybean seed produced by the method of claim8.
 10. A soybean plant, or part thereof, produced by growing said seedof claim
 8. 11. A method for developing a second soybean plant throughplant breeding comprising applying plant breeding to said soybean plant,or parts thereof according to claim 8, wherein said plant breedingresults in development of said second soybean plant.
 12. A method ofproducing a soybean plant comprising a desired trait, the methodcomprising introducing at least one transgene or locus conferring thedesired trait into a plant of soybean variety AR0902031 according toclaim
 2. 13. An insect, disease or herbicide resistant plant produced bythe method of claim
 12. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the desiredtrait is selected from the group consisting of male sterility, herbicidetolerance, insect or pest resistance, disease resistance, fungalresistance, modified fatty acid metabolism, modified carbohydratemetabolism, stress tolerance, and modified nutrient deficiencytolerances.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the desired trait isherbicide tolerance and the tolerance is conferred to an herbicideselected from the group consisting of glyphosate, sulfonylurea,imidazolinone, dicamba, glufosinate, phosphinothricin, phenoxypropionicacid, cyclohexanedione, triazine, benzonitrile and bromoxynil.
 16. Aplant produced by the method of claim 12, wherein the plant has thedesired trait.
 17. A plant produced by the method of claim 8, whereinthe plant has the desired trait.
 18. A method of producing a commodityplant product comprising obtaining the plant of claim 2 or a partthereof and producing said commodity plant product comprising proteinconcentrate, protein isolate, soybean hulls, meal, flour or oiltherefrom.
 19. A seed that produces the plant of claim
 18. 20. Use of adescendant of soybean variety AR0902031, representative seed of soybeanvariety AR0902031 having been deposited under ATCC Accession NumberPTA-12278, and wherein the descendant is derived from soybean varietyAR0902031 and is produced by self-pollinating soybean variety AR0902031,to produce a genetic marker profile.